R&I POLICY making, implementation ANd Support in the WEsteRn BalkanS

ongoing

The project supports the policy dialogue including formal meetings, monitoring and agenda setting, capacity building and implementation of the EU's Western Balkan Agenda, as well as the aligning of thematic priorities. It implements regional pilot activities and upgrades the Western Balkans Info Hub. 14 partner organisations, representing network nodes in the region and EU expert organisation, support policy dialogue through ministerial meetings, Steering Platform meetings and ad-hoc policy meetings. They provide analytical evidence via monitoring and mapping activities (of the stakeholder ecosystem, implementation of the Western Balkans Agenda and integration to the European Research Area) and foresight. POLICY ANSWERS also allows for tailored and targeted capacity building activities in the Western Balkans as well as regional alignment in relation to the digital transformation, the green agenda and towards healthy societies. Pilot activities provide learning opportunities on policy and programme level and reach out to final beneficiaries related to improved academia-industry cooperation, researcher mobility, youth, promotion of research infrastructures and increased innovation skills in all areas. The project builds on pre-existing information hubs and continues services such as regular newsletters, media relations, production of infographics and multimedia content. Special emphasis will be put on the inclusion of underrepresented groups and the coordination with key stakeholders and international organisations.